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Following Yeshua is the most important thing one can do in life. We live in a world with confused people—even confused believers. Part of the confusion is because people do not know Yeshua and they do not really know why they follow Him. In my post I will explore the topic of why people are following Yeshua and what would be a biblical motive to follow Him.
A true story from the Bible
Recently, I read the following text from the Gospel of John and I felt the Holy Spirit searching my heart and making me stop and think about the reasons I follow Yeshua.
Let us read from John 1:35-39 (TLV)
Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples and watched Yeshua walking by. He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Yeshua. Yeshua turned around and saw them following. He said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is translated Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come and see,” Yeshua tells them. So they came and saw where He was staying, and they spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.
So, we read that John the Baptist was standing with two of his disciples—from verse 40 we know that one of the disciples was Andrew. And many Bible scholars believe the second one was the Apostle John (the Apostle John gives us details that only an eye-witness can give).
The text makes it clear that John the Baptist together with his disciples were watching Yeshua. And John the Baptist, for the second time in this chapter, calls Yeshua the Lamb of God. When his two disciples hear him declaring these words, they left John and began following Yeshua.
Following Yeshua
When Yeshua saw them following Him, He turned around and asked them a big question. A question that stands over the centuries and a question that is just as crucial today as it was 2000 years ago. The question is: What are you looking for? The ESV translates the question: What are you seeking?
When I read this verse a few weeks ago, I had to stop. Have you ever thought that Yeshua asks all of us the very same question? If you would have an encounter with Yeshua and He would ask you what are you looking for…what would you answer? What do you want from Yeshua? Why do you follow Him? What are you seeking? I cannot overemphasise the importance of this question. It is a deep and wonderful question that will expose the hidden motives of any person’s heart who says they are following Yeshua. Please, do not skip this part and right now just stop and pray. Ask the Lord to show you the motives of your heart.
The truth is, too many Christians follow Jesus for the wrong motives. Too many look only for His gifts, for His healing touch, for His power or wisdom. Other are following Yeshua because that’s the tradition—we were born Christians…right? The truth is none of us were born Christians, but we were born sinners.
So why do you seek Yeshua? Is it only because you do not want to go to hell? Think about it. What do you think would be a good answer to Yeshua’s question?
Following Yeshua for the right motives
The answer to John the Baptist’s disciples I dare to say is just as fascinating as Yeshua’s question. Their reply was: Rabbi, where are you staying? At the first glance their answer to Yeshua may look superficial, childish and immature. However, their reply is actually quite deep.
I would have expect to read a straightforward answer to Yeshua’s question. But the two disciples of John the Baptist answer with a question—it’s like a Rabbinic type of conversation. What can we learn from their answer?
You see, their answer revealed the motives of their heart. Their answer revealed why they were following Yeshua. Needless to say, in their answer we can see what Yeshua is looking for in all of His disciples. Why don’t you stop one more time and compare your answer to Yeshua’s question with the answer of these two disciples?
Their answer actually speaks of fellowship. All they wanted to know is where Yeshua stays or dwells. They wanted to know where Yeshua dwells because they wanted to spend time with Him, in His house, at His feet. Moreover, all they wanted was to know Yeshua—they wanted a personal relationship with Him. The two disciples wanted Yeshua! That’s why they followed Him.
So, I want to ask you once again: why are you following Yeshua? What do you want from Him? Friend, Yeshua already knows why you want to follow Him. He already knows the motives of your heart and what exactly you seek from Him. This question is not for Him to know, but it is for you to know.
Now what?
The two disciples of John the Baptist, because they showed the right motives in their pursuit of Yeshua, received the greatest invitation a person can receive: Come and see.
If you are following Yeshua for the right motives, you will hear the very same words from His mouth. You will receive the greatest invitation a human being can receive—you will get invited to an uninterrupted fellowship with the Lamb of God, with Jesus.
You see, the two disciples were invited in Yeshua’s house. And in His house, you need to respect His rules, His commandments. In His house there is holiness, light and righteousness, not sin and darkness. Too many would like to dwell in the house of God but at the same time dwell in the house of sin and the world. However, this is not possible for the true disciples of Yeshua.
Are you following Him? If you do not follow Him you miss the greatest privilege one can have in his walk on planet earth. And if you are following Him then my prayer is that you follow Him for the right motives. Or, as A. B. Simpson says it:
Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord,
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word,
Once His gifts I wanted, now the Giver own,
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.
Once it was my working, His it hence shall be,
Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me,
Once the power I wanted, now the Mighty One!
Once for self I laboured, now for Him alone.
Why are you following Yeshua?
Do you agree?
Let me know if there is anything special going on in your life or if you want prayer! Share this post with your friends and don’t forget to leave a comment.
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I am a blogger, writer, minister, husband to Olguta, and most importantly, a child of God. I am also a certified Coach, Speaker, Trainer, and Teacher with The John Maxwell Team, and I am helping people reach their full potential.
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